Uganda has launched the 2026 National Science Week at Kololo Independence Grounds with a bold national message centered on innovation, industrial growth, and scientific transformation. The event brought together scientists, innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders as the government renewed its call for Uganda to embrace science and technology as the engine for long-term economic progress. Representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Vice President Jessica Alupo delivered a powerful address urging the country to abandon dependence on raw material exports and move toward value addition and industrial production.
In his message, Museveni warned that Uganda cannot continue relying on natural resources and chance while importing expensive finished products from abroad. He argued that lasting prosperity will only come through innovation, manufacturing, and scientific advancement. According to the President, science and technology should no longer be viewed as optional sectors but as essential pillars for national survival, economic independence, and competitiveness in the modern world.
Museveni said Uganda’s transformation into a modern industrial economy will require a massive expansion in productivity and enterprise creation. He stressed that speeches alone cannot build wealth, insisting that economic growth must be driven by factories, innovation, and practical solutions that increase production capacity. The President described industrialisation as the pathway that will enable Uganda to achieve sustainable development and create opportunities for future generations.
He also challenged researchers and innovators to focus on solving everyday problems affecting ordinary citizens. Museveni emphasized that scientific discoveries should not remain confined to academic papers and laboratories but must instead translate into businesses, jobs, and technologies that improve lives. He encouraged young people to embrace scientific knowledge and innovation, calling on them to become creators of technology rather than passive consumers.
Speaking at the same event, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero Masanza outlined the progress Uganda has made in building a stronger science and innovation ecosystem over the last five years. She said the country has shifted from theoretical discussions to tangible achievements that are beginning to shape industries and economic growth across multiple sectors.
Dr. Musenero explained that Uganda previously struggled to convert scientific knowledge into commercial success because of weak links between research and industry. She described this challenge as a “Black Box,” referring to the lack of understanding about how science and innovation can generate economic value. According to her, this disconnect slowed the growth of industries capable of turning local research into products, exports, and sustainable jobs.
Despite those setbacks, the minister highlighted major achievements in areas such as pharmaceuticals, electric mobility, manufacturing, and space science. She revealed that Uganda’s science and innovation sector now holds productive capabilities valued at more than USD 1.5 billion, far exceeding the government’s original investment. She added that the expanding sector has already created employment opportunities for more than 150,000 Ugandans while helping reduce dependence on imported products.
As National Science Week continues, government leaders are positioning science and innovation as the foundation of Uganda’s future economic independence. Both Museveni and Musenero stressed that the country has already laid the groundwork for transformation and must now accelerate commercialization, investment, and industrial growth. With scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers gathered to showcase local innovations, the event is expected to strengthen efforts aimed at turning Uganda into a competitive, science-driven economy.
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